Balancing and measuring apparatus.



G. H. GIBSON. BALANCING AND MEAVSURING APPARATUS.

AAPPLICATION FILED IAN. l2, IQIZ. I Y Patented Nov. 1G, 1910.

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A TTORNE Y 11G APPARATUS.

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5 SHEETSYSHEET 4 APPLICATION FILD JAN, Z. 1'

BALANCHYEG AND WEASUHING APPARATUS,

misi/,J g @i w G. H. GIBSON.

BALANCiNG AND MEASURING APPARATUS.

PPLICATlON FILED IAN. l2, i912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

afenfed Nov. 16, '1935.

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A TTORNE Y 40 tional to such-hydrostatic pressure or head.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE n. GIBSON, or MONTCLAIE, NEW JERSEY,` AssIcNon. 'ro Josera S. LOVEEING WHAETON, WILLIAM s. 'HALLowELn ANI: JOHN c. '.IoNmALL-OFPHILADELBHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A FIRM DOING BUSINESS As IInnnIsoN SWTEBOILEB. WORKS.

BAL'ANcING AND MEASUBING ArrAnArus.'

' VPatena-fit1Nov. 1e, 1915.

Application ,led January 12, 1912. Serial'NO. 670,863

To allwhomz't may concern:

f Be it -known' that I, GEORGE H. GIBSON, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in Montclair, county of Essex, In

the State of New Jersey, have invented cerl tain new and useful Improvements in B alancing and Measuring Apparatus, of which the following is a true and exact description,

l mining the quantity rate of flow of a liquid over or through a Weir.

The present invention is of especial utility in measuring the flow of a liquid through a Weir chamber in which the pressureof the vapors or gases above the liquid is different from that of the atmosphere.

In some of its aspects the present invention is to be regarded as an improvement on the invention disclosed and claimed in my prior Patent 1,015,556, granted January 23rd, 1912. In'other aspects, however, the invention is not limited in all of its features to use in liquid flow measuring apparatus or Y in any kind of measurin apparatus.

The quantity rate of owfover or through. a weir 1s in general a function of the IBSf sures prevailing on the two Sides o lthe Weir, and where thedischarge of a liquid over or through the weir Is notl opposed by hydrostatic pressure on the discharge Side of f the weir, is a function ofthe hydrostatic pressure or head on the supply side ofthe Weir, but, in general, is not directly propor- .F or instance, where'a liquid Hows through a V-shaped Weir orifice or through a series of V-shaped orifices having their apices at a common level, with al free dischargetherethrough, the quantityrate of iow is approximately proportional to the five halves Y preferably includes provisions for obtaining dlrect' readings in quantity units ofmeasurement, which may ,he indicated or recorded,

or both, and for integrating-:ind v registerfmg .these results. I

lThe various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particular-ity in the claims annexed to For a better understanding of the invenvand forming a part of this specification;l

tion, however, and the advantages possessed by it, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated and described forms in which my invention may be embodied. 3

Of the drawings,' Figure lis a diagrammatic representation, with parts shownir sectional elevation, lof apparatus for Ineas uring the now 'of a liquid, as-water, over a Weir located in a' Weir chamber in which the vapor pressure may be 'above orbelow that y'OIE theatmosphere. Fig. 2 is a sectional .elevation vof a. portion 4of the apparatus shown 1n Fig. 1. Fig 3 is 'an elevation of` another portion ,of vfthe' apparatus shown in Fig. l. Fig. Lis'oaplan 0f a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation v taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, but on a largenscale than the latter .figure Fig. 6 is 'a `partial sectional elevationofjthe apparatus shown in Fig. 5 taken on the' line--r offthat igure, but on a larger scale than Fig. 55j Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of a'modiied measuring apparatus. Fig. 8 is a viewshowing a portion of the apparatus shownin Fig. 7, taken similarly to Fig. 7 buton a larger scale.

Fig.. 9`is a somewhat diagrammatic repre- Y sentation, withvparts in sectionalelevatlon',

of a third form of measuring apparatus, and Fig. l0 .is an elevation partly-1n section of a fourth form of measuring apparatus.

'The apparatus shown-inFigs', 'lto 6 oi ,the drawings comprises a water heater A of the open feed ywater type in which water is heated by the direct action of .steam and in which a variable steam pressure; prevails ranging ordinarilyv from a pressure slightly below or equal to the pressure o the atmosphere vup to ajpressure of `ten or twenty pounds aboveratvmospheri .Pressure From the heater proper the water is discharged into a weir chamber B containing a weir C formed with one or more V-shaped discharge'orifices C', which.` if there be more than one, have their apices at a common level. The vapor pressures in the heater A and weir chamber B are equalized by a conduit D open at its opposite ends to the two chambers above the water level in each. f

In the apparatus disclosed in Figs. 1-6 the rate of flow is determined by measuring the fiotative effectof the water at the supply side ofthe weir on a float O, which might be placed in the Weir chamber on the supply side of the Weir, but which for-various reasons, I prefer to locate in a separate receptacle or casing E.

As shown in the drawings, the float chamber E is in the form of a cylindrlcal casingv with an integral bottom and a removable cover E.

E2 represents aport adjacentthe lower end of the cylindrical Wall of the float chamber, and connected to the Weir chamber B 1 at. the supply side of the weir and at a level below the weir notch level by pipe E".

A port E4 formed in the wall of `the float i chamber adjacent its upper end is connected by a pipe E5 to the weir chamber B above the waterlevel therein. The upper portion y.

.rounding theof the float chamber is of larger diameter than the lower portion thus providing an annular shelf E whichislocated above the highest water level whichwit is expected to have in the Weir chamber and forms a support for the float and eoperatingmechanism by which the viota'tive efect' of .the water on the float is balanced and-measured. rl`his mechanism comprises a vertical cylinder F having bolted to it two similar arms F yand a third. armv F2. Each of the three arms F', F and F2 is provided at'itsouter end with a threaded vertical socket'receiving an adjusting screw G which directly engages the shoulder E. The arms F, Fare each formed at their outerends with'knie edges F 3 adapted to impinge directly against the cylindrical wall of the lioat chamber and the arm F2 is formed at its end with a flange F 4 into which is threaded a horizontal screw G having a sharpened end adapted to be forced into contact with the cylindrical 'wall 'to receive of the stem between the shoulderl'2 and `the Vshoulder J2. i ivided with astemJ8 having a lower thread- Y 'ed portion Jf rscrewed into the crosshead .ex-

of the cylinder F. The disk-like projection K of a crosshead member against the upper side of the by means of an internal washer K2 and clamping screwsKa. The cross-head `K is secured at its ends to the upper ends of a U- shaped yoke member L.- The Alatter is K' is clamped diaphragm H formed with an aperture below, and alined with'the cylinder F,'which receives a member M formed with a disk-like head M clamped. against the underside 'of' the "diaf phragm HA by meansfof awasher M2 and a. clampingscrew M2 Thebody of the member' M is externally threaded and is locked to lthe yoke-member L with a 'capacity for axial adjustment, by means of.

'upper and lower. clamping nuts ML 4-To prevent an undesirable accumulation of water of condensation on' the upper' side of the diaphragm H, vent passages F and vFs are formed respectively in the. upper clamping ring F 5, andin the adjacent portion of u the cylinder Fr Y The cylinder F is interiorly. divided into` upper and lower compartments f and f?, re-v speetively,

partition F9 formedwith. a centrally .dis-

posed aperture having threadedinto 'ita valve seat member- F117.

with an axial 'ort' F12 and-a valve seaty surby means of a transverse webv or The latter is formed.-

owerend of` the port.; The i port F12 is controlled lby a valve J vadapted v to move .into and out of-enga-gemenbwith the seat, formed;A on

valve seat member rI1` 1.".Ifhe latter is provided lwith a cylindrical the compartment in any considerable amount the underside of thei- 1 depending 'Harige "F18 extending nearlyrto the washer M2, and when the port F12 is opened, the fluid pressure inlfoompartment fcauses water collecting in' to be forcedy through the port F22 into` the compartment The stem J of the valve ,J passes upwar through thevalve seat member and is provided between its ends with a shoulder J2,'and at its upper end is threaded a nut or head J. The portion nut J 3 passes through a yoke member J, A

coiled spring Jl, interposed betweenthe nut J2 andyoke member J,.tends to hold the yoke ,and the valve stem inthe posit-ion shown in which the yokev abutsfagainstthe The yoke member iisprotension K and another threaded portion VJ 'at its upper end. A- clamping nutJ' screwed on' the or'tion lJs bears against ,the guide sleeve 2 threaded into vthe crosshead K and locks the partsV securely together.' ,Adjustable screws K" and Lare providedtojpositively limit the movement of .the yoke and attached parts tothe ver` small amount required to'open andseal t le port,l4`

'lhe member M is formed with a threaded socket M extending axially into it from its lower' end. This socket receives the upper end of the stern N of the ioat O.-

.N represents a clamping nut for clamping the stem N and member M together in any desired adjustment. The stem N is engaged by-a counter-balancing lever P which is ulcrumed in a bracket P secured to and y depending from an extension F14 of the cylinder F. Asv shown the lever P carries knife-edge pivot members P2 and P3 passing through and engaging the Walls of apertures formed in the stem N and bracket P respectively. The lever P has a weight P* adjustably mounted on' its free end. Preferably the counter-balancing lever P andrits weight are arrangeda-nd adjusted to exactly balance the Weight of the float O and the ,parts connected toit so that the only forces tending to move the diaphragme H and HA out of their normal positions are the lifting force of the water on the float 0 and the opposing thrust of the pressure fluid admitted to the cylinder F as hereinafter described. Advantageously the fioat O should be heavy enough so that it tends to hang vertically in the liquid in which it is more or less completely submerged as any side thrust dueto the flotativ'e action of the liquid is thereby avoided. Preferably I make the float hollow and of metal of such a character that its weight and contour are notaiected by the conditions to which it is subjected tirely independent of the vapor pressure in e rises and falls.

. vrange thefioat so that its .lower end is at the Weir chamber.

The counter-balancing function of the diaphragm HA closing the end of the compartment of I the cylinder which -is in free communication with the at'- mosphere is unnecessary of course, when the pressure in the Weir chamber is equal to thatl of the atmosphere, but the presence of this diaphragm is in no wise prejudicial to the use of the apparatus in such case.

Preferably I so form the float O that the flotative` elect exerted on it by the water admitted to the float chamber E bears a constant ratio to the ilow over the Weir as the -water level on the supply side of the Weir To accomplish this I arthe Weir notch apex level and shape the lloat so that'the volume of water displaced by itV HvariesV as does the flow over the'weir with y `changes in the height of water level on the gupply side of the Weir. With a Weir havvvmg one or more V-shaped discharge'notches or :orifices the rate of flow is given by the ,equation 72:61h 2, where (r) is the rate of gewin suitable units, (M, is the height of level on the supply side of the @above Weir notch apex level, and

rate oi `iow (r) multiplied by a constant for all normal variations of the height (Il.) of the water level on the supply side of the Weir. The flotative effect or upward thrust' exerted by the Water on the float O is equal of course to the weight of the volume (c) of water displaced by the float. While the peculiar 'contour which I give the float possesses the important advantage of making unnecessary other and in general more complicated and less satisfactory provisions for obtaining proportional readings in quantity units of flow, my invention in some of its aspects is not dependent upon giving the float any particular form. lThose skilled in the art will readily understand how to vary the shape of the float O in order to obtain proportional readings of the flow over or through a Weir having a different law of flow from that of the V-notched weir shown. The laws of flow for many forms of weirs, as for instance, a vertical Weir having rectangular notches at its top, and a horizontal Weir having circular discharge orifices formed through it, are already Well known and moreover, the law of flow for any Weir may be determined experimentally When necessary.

The provisions for balancing the lifting action of the water in the float O comprise means for automatically maintaining the proper fluid pressure in the lower compartment fa of the cylinder F. This I accomplish by connecting a pressure supply pipe Q to the compartment fa. The pipe Q leads from a source of pressure, as for instance,

the tank Q which may be supplied constantly, or from time to time, vwith some pressure fluid, as for instance, compressed air furnished by a compressor, not shown. Ihe pipe Q includes a section Q2 (see Fig. 2) in which is placed a diaphragm Q3 formed with an orifice Q4 restricted so that the ow through the oriflce is comparatively slow, and so that the pressure on the outlet side of the orice does not necessarily approximate the pressure on the supply side l of the orifice. l/Vith this arrangement pressure fluid is constantly supplied to the compartment fa of the cylinder F. YV; :neer the pressure in the compartment fa becomes eater than is necessary to balance the lifting force exerted on the iioat 0 by the water l f close the port-12 -in contact with it, the consequent slight versely, when the pressure in the lower compartment fof thecylinderis less than that required to balance the liftingfaetion of the Water on the float, the valve J is moved to and the pressure in the vcompartment f amount necessary to balance the flotative e'ect.

The pipe R is' arranged to drain out of the compartment f any moisture collecting therein. 'lhe pipes Q and R, or at least the portions of these pipes within the casing E may advantageously be made of lead or otherwise constructed to give them the slight flexibility required for the ready adjustment of the cylinder F with respect to the casing E.

With the apparatus described, the pressure in the lower compartment f and in the" y portion of the pipe Q between the cylinder and the Arestricted orifice Q4 is directly proportional to the quantity rate of flow over the Weir and this rate of flow may be indicated by means of an ordinary pressure gage as for instance the age Sconneeted tothe branch pipe Q5. iniilarly the flow may be integrated andrecorded by a simple recording instrument comprising, as conventionally illustrated a drum T 'rotated by trated in Fig. 1, comprises a disk lV, driven i'cction by the spring lV?,

and 8, AA

a clock mechanism U, and ing a record on the drum T and moved parallel to the axis of the drinn by the pressure in the pipe the piston T2 working in also acted upon by the restoring spring T4. Similarly, the fiow iiiay be integrated by a simple register of common kind. 'lhe register for this purpose, conventionally illusthe cylinder T and at a constant s )eed of rotation by a clock UA and engage( by the pei'iphery of a small disk lV carried by a shaft W2, they axis of axis of rotation of the which intersects the disk lV. The shaft worm` lV" of inoved toward the disk W b v a cylinder V5 lV" working therein and lrV2 is splined tothe and a piston acted on in onedisite, direction by' the pressure 'in the Q, A swivel ,connection W8 (see Fig.'l 3) is -plaeed between the steinyjV" of the ,pistoniy lV and the dii-'k lV.

ln the. modification illustrated in Figs. 7:

tank ot' a water rei'ii'esents the healer provided with a stcaiii siipply'pipe a cold water suppl) pipe Ac discharging onto water spreading ballles or trays A loat once builds up to the a pencil T mak- ,5 actin(r in one direction against' a counting-train W and isv and away. from the center ot" cate@ in the upper end of the tank. Beneath` the partition A4 may pass to the underside of a filter b'd A8 tom of the weir of the weir C. y

Inv this modification the water flow over the Weir C is measured -by amount of water contained in ber X located within the weir chamber A and having a port in its bottom connectedto the supply side of the Weir C by a flexible pipe X which may be a rubber hose. The bucket X is advantageously made lwith its inner surface of exactly the same shape as the external surface of the'iioat 0, first described, and is arranged with the bottom of its cavity at the Weir notch apex level. l I bucket isl supported by a spindle NA connected to the diaphramsrof a cylinder FA which with its connected parts may 4beexactly like the cylinderF- first described, e'xcept that in this case the corresponding to the valve J in. the construction first described, is on the upper side-of the port connecting the vtwo compartments fl and f into which the cylinder is divided, and iii this case vthe u per com'- partnient fb is the `compartment s owly supe'xtending across the' botchamber at the supply side weighing the A a bucket mein-A valve member JA plied with compressed air or otherpressure i fluid through the pipe QA,'while the outlet pi pe RA leads from the lower compartment f". YAs shown, the cylinder FA is mounted in an annular support- EAsecuredthrough a bracket ll to the sidel wall of the tank thea' mount ot' water flowing over` the wiei.-r

through which the cylinder pressure in tliec'vlider compartmenty 'llie operation ot' lliebucket istthils analogous lo iliatgol the lloat t) irstdescribed siiiee the lfunction of each of these` devices lis to direi-lli' receive and transmit io `tlie balancing and measuring provisions los a 'l'oree equal to tlicliveiglit ota column of' the liquid llo'wii'ig over tlie weii uiiiii'extiiids troniv the Weirnotch apex levelf to the surface level ofthe liquid on rthesup- Y ply side of the weir,..and varies in` cross-scction lso that t'l'ie weight ofthe column beais va constant ratio at all times to tl-ie weight-of liquid flowing over the Weir.4 Vith the 180 construction shown in Figs. 7 and 8 the column of water thus weighed is received within the bucket X and directly weighed, while in the construction first described a correspending column of water is displaced by the float and is indirectly weighed by measuring the iiotative force exerted on the float O.

Since the weight rather than the'volume 10 of the liquid iiowing'l gover the weir is measured by the apparatus described herein, this apparatus has an inherent capacity for minimizing the errors in measurement resulting from changes in temperature of the liquid owing over the Weir. For, while with a given height .of surface levelon the supply side of the Weir the rate of'flow over the wei r in pounds per second decreases with the density of the liquid as the temperature of the latter rises, the weight of the column oiv water displaced by the float O or received in the bucket X also decreases as the density of the liquid decreases. While the bucket arrangement illustrated in Figs. 7 l and 8 is, as I have indicated, an equivalent in a broad way mechanism of Figs. 1 to 6 and is intended to be generically claimed in this case, spe` ciiic features of construction and arrangement shown in Figs. 7 and 8 are not claimed herein but are to be claimed in another application filed by me of even date herewith.

While the uid pressure means described forms a preferred means for balancing and measuring the water displaced by the float O or received by the bucket X, other balancing and measuring provisions may bek employed, and in Fig. 9 I have shown one ex' ample of a modification in this respect. In

Fig. 9, B, represents a Weir chamber attached to the side ofJ a heater tank A and divided into inlet and outlet compartments by a notched Weir C. and O represents a float similar to that first described. and located in the Weir chamber on the supply side of the Weir with lits bottom at the 'eir notch apex level. The oat O is carried by a slender stem NBjthich extends througha cover plate I l" normally closing an aperture in the top of the Weir chamber B, suitable means, such vas the labyrinth packing B being provided to prevent leakage along the stem. At its upper end the stem NB is con- 50 nccted to a yoke Y pivotally connected to a. beam Y fulcrumed in a bracket B12 carried by the cover plate B1". The free end of the lover Y is shown as workingr in a slotted bracket B and carries a contact Y2 50 adapted to engage the stationary contacts Y and Yt. slnnvn as carried by the bracket Bm, accorf'lnglv as thc free end of the beam Y-moves up or clown from a neutral position. The contacts Y, Y2 and Y4 are connected by suitable conductorsl to the three terminals for the lioat measuringr of a motor Y. The conductor running from the motor to the contact Y2 includes a source of current, conventionally indicated at Y.

The shaft of the motor Y8 is geared to a. shaft Y." on which is mounted a gear wheel YB meshing with a rack 'bar Y9 which has one end connected to the lever Y by the v ring Y2. v t

The motor is of such a character that When the fall in level of the water on the .75 supply side of the Weir results in moving the lever Y into the position in which the contact Y2 engages the contact Y, the mov tor Y6 will be set into rotation in the direction to elevate the rack bar Y until the increased tension of the spring Y10 is sucient y to move the contact Y2 into its normal neutral position. Conversely, when the increase in height of water level on the supply side of the Weir results -in moving the contact Y2 85 into engagement with the contact Y, the motor turns in the opposite direction to dey crease the tension of the spring Y10. It will be apparent without further explanation that the tension of the spring Y10 will be 90'` inversely proportional to the flow of water over the YWeir and that the angular position of the gear wheel Y? and ofthe shaft Y at any instant will be kpro ortional to the spring tension. An arm .n secured tothe f shaft Y2. and playingover a suitably gradu` ated dial X12 thus vfurnishes a visual indication of the amount of. water flowing over the Weir and this arm X11 `may be readily employed toadjust in a known manner, the connection between the clock driving mecha.-4 nism and the counting wheels proper of a register X13 in order to integrate the quantity of Water flowingover the Weir during a given period.

The particular means employed in-Fig. 9 for adjusting a balancing force, while novel with me, is not claimed herein as similar mechanism is described and claimed in my prior copending application, Serial No. 110 605,878, filed February 1, 1911. Y

The apparatus shown 1n Fig.A 9 is open to the objection, not experienced with the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 8, that errors lare introduced by variations in pressure within the Weir chamber because of the un# balancedpressure action on the stem NB passing through the top wall of the Weir chamber. However, the cross-section of this stem may be made small enough so that this error is negligible under many conditions. The measuring apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles hereinbefore described may be employed for other purposes than those hereinbe'fore referred to, 1,25 for instance, this apparatus is readily available for measuring the flow of liquid through a closed conduit, such as a. pipe line transmitting water or oil or the like, as by the arrangement shown in Fig. 10,. In the latterl figure Zreprese'iits' a Weir chamber interposed between pipe sections Z and Z2 transmitting oil, wateror other liquid underv pressure;.the liquid flowing into the Weir chamber 'through the pipe section' Z and passing :out/through the pipe section Z2. O representsafloat tof thespecial configuration f hcreinbeforcfdescribcd -which is arranged on the supply side of the notched Weir C with the `bottom` of the float at the Weir notch apex level. The float 0 is connected to a cylinder F, which, with its connected parts may b e identical with the cylinder F and attached parts of Figs. 1 to 6. The

forming a removable part ofthe top wall of the Weir chamber. vTo prevent the level of the liquid from'risi'iig on the outlet side of the weir C Ato an eiitent'siifiicient to'interfere withthe flow of the liquid over the Weir I cylinder F is mounted in a support FBr tiallystationaiy member havinga surfacev in contact with the liquid flowing over the weir between the-actual level of the liquid surface on the supply side of the Weir at.'- any instant and the lowermost levelof tlie last mentioned surface at which liquidwill flow over the Weir, and so shaped thatsaid member receives athrust from the contacting-liquid bearing a constant ratio to theamount of liquid flowing over the Weir as the level ofvsaid liquid surface rises and falls, and means for measuring said thrust.

2. Liquid flow measuring apparatus comprisingA in combination a weir over which vthe liquid to be measured flows, a substanprovide means for injecting a permanent gas, as ordinary 'atmospheric' air, into the weir chamber. As shown, this` means comprises a valve Z"s operated by a 'float"Z* located within theviveir chamber on the outlet side of the wei'r and, rising and falling with the liouid'levelon that side ofthefweir.

The valve Z3 is adapted, 'on a predeterminedv elevation of the float Z", Ato connect the compressed air supply pipe'Q to a branch pipe Q11 which opens to the Weir chamber at the upper end of the latter;` 'Similarly on apredetermined fall'of the float Z4 thevalvc Z3 is operated tov connect the vpipezlQ,11 to af'vent pipe Q12. With this arrangement the valvev Z3 automatically yregulates the vapor pressure inthe weir chamber tothe extent rcquired to prevent an r undesirable accumulation of liquid in the supply side.of theweir, while at the same time the pressure is kept down to a point where it doesfnot interfere with the proper flow of liquid through the Weir chamber:

While the construction shown in Fig. 10 is intended to be covered generically by the claims of this application the various novel features specific to this construction are not claimed herein but are to be claimed in another application wl'iich I' am about to file.

"While in accordanceffwith the provisions of the statutes I have illustrated and de-l scribed the best forms of my invention now 'known to me, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that under some conditions certain features ofmy invention may be used with advantage without. a corresponding use of other features, andthat'changes may be made in the form of the apparatus disclosed without departing from the spirit of my invention. In particular it is to be ,understoodllthat -neither the form nor the mode of support of thefiuid pressure balanc- `in g mechanismdisclosed form essential features of my, invention'in its broader aspects.

w1 Havingnow described my invention whaty tially stationary member having a surface iii contact with vtlieliquid flowing over t-lie wcir between the actual level of the liquid instant, and the lowcrinost level of the last mentioned surface at which liquid will flow,

over the weir, and so shaped that said member receives a thrust from the contacting liquid bearing a constant ratio to the amount or liquid flowing over the .weir as the level of said liquid surface` rises and falls, fluid pressure means for balancing said thrust including a pressure chamber in which the.

pressure varies proportionall to said thrust, and means for'measuring sai pressure. c y

Flow measuring apparatus comprising incombination a receptacle containing a liquid the heightfof surface level of which is a function of the rate of flow to be measured, a substantially stationary float subjected to "the varying 4flotative force yof the liquid as the .surface of the latter rises andv falls, means for impressing aforce on said `float equal but opposite in directionto said flotative force, said means including a pressure chamber and means for maintaining a fluid surface on the supply si'de of the Weir at any. l

iiq,

pressure in said chamber proportional to said flotative force, and means formeasuri'ng said fluid pressure.

4. Flow measuring apparatus comprising in combination a receptacle containing a liquid the height of surface levelv of which is a function of, but is not directly proportional to the rate of flow to be measured, a substantially stationary float subjected to the lotative force pf' the liquid and so shaped that the variable vquantity of liquid displaced by the float as the surface level of the latter rises and falls is proportional to the rate of ow, and `means for measuring said flotative force;k

5. Flow 'measuring apparatusicomprising in combination a receptacle containing a liquid the height of surface level of which is a` 'function of, but is not-directly proportional -.to the rate of iow to be measured, a substantially stationary -bination oi' a iioat chamber,

float subjected to the otative force of the liquid and so shaped that the variable quantity-of liquid displaced by the float as the surface level rises and falls is proportional to the rate of flow, means for impressing a force on said float equal but opposite in direction to said otative iforce, said means including a pressure chamber and means for maintaining a. luid pressure in said chamber proportional to said iotative force, and means for measuring lsaid Huid pressure. s

6. In flow measuring apparatus the combination of a cylinder formed with a partition dividing the cylinder into two com artments, diaphragme closing the ends o the cylinder, a member, means operatively connecting said member to the two diaphragme, and acted upon by the fluid flowing, provisions for maintaining a constant iiuidpressure in one of said compartments, and means automaticallyT responsive to the force exerted on said member by the iiuid flowing for maintaining a pressure in the other compartment suiiicient to balance said force.

7. In flow measuring apparatus, the com bination of a cylinder formed with a partition dividing the cylinder into two comp'artv ments, diaphragme closing the ends of the cylinder, a member, means operatively connecting said member to the two diaphragme and acted upon by the-fluid flowing, provisions or maintaining a constant iuid pressure in one compartment, means automatically responsive to the force acting on said member by the fluid iiowing for maintaining a pressure in the other compartment sufficient to balance said force, said means comprising a discharge connection from, and a pressure fluid supply connection 'to said other compartment, one of said connections being restricted, and a valve responsive to the movements of said member and controlling the other connection.

8. In iiow measuring apparatus the coma vertical cylinder mounted in said chamber and formed with a partition dividing the cylinder into upper and lower compartments, diaphragme closing the ends of the cylinder, a float, means operatively connecting said float to the two diaphragius, provisions for maintaining a constant iiuid pressure iii the upper compartment, and means automatically icsponsive-to the flotative force acting on said float for maintaining'a pressure in the lower compartmen suflicient to bal ance said force.

9. In a iow measuring apparatus the couibination of a float chamber. a vertical cylinder mounted in said chamber' und forme with :i partition dividing the cylinder into upper and lower compartments. diaphragme closing the ends of the cylinder, a float, means partment sufficient operatively connecting said oat to the two diaphragms, provisions for maintaining a constant Huid pressure in the upper lcompart- 'ment, and means automatically responsive to ythe flotative force acting on said float for maintaining a pressure in the lower comsaid means comprising a discharge connection and a pressure fluid supply connection to said lower compartment, one of said connections being restricted, and a valve re.

sponsive to the movements of said float controlling the other connection.

10. Flow measuring apparatus comprising a cylinder provided with three or more vertically adjustable support engaging mem'- bers and with three or morehorizontal support engaging devices, a support provided with a; horizontal shelf `or sohulder on which said vertically adjustable members rest an provided also with a shoulder at an angle to said horizontal shelf against which said to balance said force, p

horizontal support engaging devices bear,`,

and provisions for adjusting one ter to clamp the cylinder in p lace, a member position to receive athrust responsive to the flow tomatic provisions mission to and exhaust from said cylinderof pressure fluid to balance said thrust.

of the latoperatively connected with said cylinder and v 1- suspended in to be measured, and au. 1 for regulating the ad` '95 11. Flow measuring apparatus compris-''. I'

ing a cylinder having three or more lateral arms provided eachwith sharpened. means adapted to engage a corresponding supporting surface and provided each with a vertisupport engaging member,

cally adjustable a support provided with a horizontal shelf on which said support engaging members rest, and with a cylindrical surface against which said sharpened means impinge, one of said sharpened means being adjustable toward and away from. the cylinder whereby the cylinder may be clamped in place, a liquid engaging member operativelyV connected to said cylinder and adapted to receive a vertical thrust responsive to the rate of flow, and automatic provisions regulating the admission-to and exhaust from saidthe iis cylinder of pressure fluid to balaii` thrust exerted on said membeil J y 1:2. In iiow measuring apparatus the combination with a closed chamber, of a mem ber located within said chamber and acted upon by the fluid flowing. and iuid pressure means for measuring the thrust imparted to said member bythe fluid flowing, compris`A ing a compartment located within said chamber and having a inovablefwallgimeans for maintaining a variable pressure within said compartment proportional to the thrust exerted ou said member, and means for balancing the rcssure exerted on the outer side of said wal comprising a second compartment located within said chamber and havfoo theI liquid in said' receptacle, and Huid pressure means for balancing the flotative' eliect on said float of the liquid, comprising a compartment having a movable Wall, .means for maintaining a variable' pressure within saidcompartment proportional to said lota- Ative v'effect arid'y means for balancing the pressure exertedjon the outer side of said wall,-'

comprising a second compartment having a movable'wall, provisions for malntalmng a constant pressure in said second compart. 4ment, and an operative connectlon between said member and both of said'movable Walls.

v14.*".l`he' combination 'with a liquid containing receptaclc, of a member adapted to be actedr upon by the liquid therein, and

Huid pressure means for balancing the thrust imparted to sald member' by said liquid comprismg a compartment having a movable wall, in eans. for maintaining a variable pressure' wlthln said compartment proportional to the thrust exerted on' said member, means pressure exerted on'the Wall comprising asecond having a movable Wall and maintaining a `constant presfor balancing the outer side of said compartment provisions for sure Within said second compartment, and an operative connectlon between sald member and both of said movable Walls.

` l5. In combination a cylinder formed with a partition transverse to the length of the cylinder and dividing the latter into two compartments, diaphragm closin the ends of the cylinder, means operative y connecting the two movements, uid

diaphragms for simultaneous and means for maintaining a y pressure 1n one of said compartments adapted to balance the action of a force tending to move said diaplragms in a direcf t1on decreasing the volume of said compartment, said means comprising a valve actuated by the movements of said diaphragms, a pressure fluid supply connection and a vent connection,

one of said. connec' tions being restricted andA the other being controlled by said valve. v

GEO.. GIBSON.` Witnesses:

JOHN HARVEY SHERMAN, ROBERT G. CLIFTON, 

